The growth system comes at the age of 30

Chapter 301: Time to Consider Preparing for Pregnancy (4.4K)

Before leaving the provincial capital, Chen Jingle filled out the application form to join the provincial calligraphy association and sent it to the official designated email address.

I believe it won't be long before the application is approved.

Mass organizations like the Calligraphy Association have very little free time, except for writing couplets for retired cadres during festivals, and the review process is very quick.

Not to mention that Professor Xie would also put in a good word for them.

As long as there are no problems, it will pass the review. It's just a provincial calligraphy association member spot, nothing big.

It really is very fast.

The moment Chen Jingle received his nomination for the "Lingnan Cup" Youth Calligraphy and Seal Carving Competition, the Provincial Calligraphers Association approved it.

Because the people in charge of this provincial exhibition are from the Provincial Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the Provincial Calligraphers Association.

Just like online novels, whether you're a top-tier talent or a flop, an expert can tell at a glance.

Whether it was the judges of this provincial exhibition or the directors of the provincial calligraphy association, they were immediately amazed by Chen Jingle's exhibited works.

This is top-level even in a national exhibition, why is it participating in a provincial exhibition?
What do you think?

Do they fry fish in fishponds?
"Hey, isn't that so-and-so?" One of the judges looked slightly surprised when he saw the signature.

"Who?"

"A somewhat well-known calligraphy and painting blogger online, I never expected him to be from our Nandong. Even more unexpectedly, he's not even a member of the provincial calligraphy association."

"That's normal. Not everyone likes joining the calligraphy and painting associations."

Many gallery participants don't exhibit; they focus on international art or collaborate with major auction houses through gallery studios.

It's much more popular than the Calligraphers Association.

However, if one wants to develop their career in the country, joining the Chinese Calligraphers Association or the Chinese Artists Association is practically the only option.

Many provincial and national calligraphy exhibitions require you to have a provincial or higher-level calligraphy association membership in order to be allowed to participate.

Unless you have absolutely no interest in exhibiting.

The person who revealed Chen Jingle's background spoke with a hint of envy: "He can now sell a full-size four-foot painting for fifty or sixty thousand yuan. One of his paintings at Xiling Auction House sold for eighty thousand yuan. He's quite well-known online. I heard that orders are booked for several months in advance."

"The commission fee is actually this high?!"

"Yes, it's truly enviable. The key is that his works are in high demand and short supply, and some people have even started to imitate his style. You can only say that you can't compare people."

This fee is higher than that of many provincial calligraphy association presidents.

Why are you all working so hard to climb up the ladder? Isn't it because you hope that your work can sell for more money after being given a title?

The results of it?
They weren't even members of the provincial calligraphy association, yet they still easily surpassed them.

It can only be said that times have indeed changed. The emergence of the internet has allowed too many people to reap the benefits of the internet and break free from the constraints of the original media.

Although it is said that scholars have always looked down on each other, that was always based on the premise that the two sides were roughly equal in strength.

When you see that the other person is much better than you, your attitude will be completely different.

The gap is too big; one can only admire and sigh.

Although everyone here is a judge for the competition, I admit that I cannot write at this level.

The gap isn't just a little bit; it's an insurmountable chasm!
If it works, it works. If it doesn't, it doesn't work.

Continuing to say sarcastic things will only make you a laughingstock.

People still care about their reputation.

"Judging from the recommender, it's Professor Xie from Nanjing Normal University. Are they planning to compete for a prize at the exhibition?"

"It's highly likely. Our Lingnan Cup is definitely not someone else's ultimate goal."

"Then it must be Lanting."

"Lanting..."

The speaker clicked his tongue, his tone a mix of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a feeling of deep emotion) and 怨怨 (yuànyuàn, a sense of resentment).

Many of you here have experience with national exhibitions, and quite a few have been selected for the Lanting Exhibition, so you naturally know how difficult it is.

Do you think his skill level is high enough to qualify for the Lanting Award?

"Getting selected for the exhibition is definitely not a problem, and there's a high chance of winning a bronze medal, but it's hard to say what will happen next."

Because some things, no matter how hard you try, even if you're better than others, don't necessarily guarantee you'll have the last laugh.

I understand everything I understand.

This is not unique to the University of Tokyo; it's the same all over the world.

Besides having the ability, you also need to have the resources to manage it.

I just don't know what kind of relationship this person has with Nanjing Normal University.

If the teacher is from Nanjing Normal University, then winning the silver award should be no problem, since Nanjing Normal University is quite strong in the humanities and social sciences.

As for the gold medal—

It's hard to say.

"You're still too young. Wait a few more years."

If Chen Jingle were the vice president of the provincial calligraphy association, the situation would be different. By pooling the resources of the Southeast Provincial Calligraphers Association, the chances of winning the Lanting Gold Award would be quite high.

Given Chen Jingle's skill level, once the old guys retire one after another, he will definitely have a place in the Provincial Calligraphers Association. Then, with the help of the Provincial Calligraphers Association, it is not impossible for him to work on a gold medal.

The thought that a province with the largest economy in China can't even elect a president who can keep things in check gives me a headache.

Shame on you!
The last time this happened was in Longyou.

But your Southeast Province has a top-tier economy and cultural atmosphere, ranking among the best in the country. How can you compare it to the Northwest region?
If you can't even elect a president, what will the higher-ups think?
Is your calligraphy association in Southeast Province not united enough?
Or is it that our culture is lagging behind the pace set by higher authorities?
It's really annoying!

More importantly, the lack of a president means that there is no one with influence in the China Calligraphers Association, and the resources available to them from the Southeast region will be even fewer.

Thinking of this, everyone felt a burning resentment towards certain incompetent people in the association who insisted on competing, resulting in no one getting the best outcome.

……

In the blink of an eye, the six-day holiday was over.

Chen Jingle and Li Beixing returned home from the provincial capital, carrying large and small bags.

"I'm back."

Chen Jingle breathed a sigh of relief.

Although he had a lot of fun outside, he was a bit of a bed snuggler and always felt that there was no place like home.

The first thing Li Beixing did upon returning home was to hand out gifts.

From grandparents to parents to second uncle and aunt, and even Chen Jinghao and Chen Qiyun, everyone got a share, and everyone was happy.

It can only be said that Chen Jingle still has a lot to learn from Teacher Li when it comes to impartiality and emotional value.

Although they weren't expensive gifts, they still made everyone very happy.

For example, Chen Qiyun received a voice-controlled desktop smart pet alarm clock. It has an adorable design, can interact with people via voice, displays various expressions, and even has a night light function.

This is so much fun for kids.

Li Beixing's parents are also preparing some, but they'll have to wait until tomorrow when they have time to send them over.

"Thank you for your hard work," Chen Jingle whispered, giving Teacher Li's small hand a gentle squeeze. Li Beixing's lips curled into a smile: "What's so hard about it? Aren't we all family?"

She paused, then leaned on Chen Jingle's shoulder and murmured softly, "Speaking of which, I should thank you. You know, I'm an only child, and I don't have many relatives, and I'm not close to any of them. On the other hand, your family, like your cousins, don't fawn over me because of my family. You're their older brother, and everyone respects you. I've benefited from that too. It's a completely different experience from anything I've had before."

Chen Jingle smiled and said, "You're making me feel embarrassed. It feels more like you're being biased."

Li Beixing pouted slightly: "No way, I'm just stating the facts!"

"Your dad probably helped your relatives too much," Chen Jingle said thoughtfully.

As the saying goes, "Helping you is a favor, not helping you is your right," but clearly not everyone understands this principle.

No one asks the poor in the downtown area, and the rich has distant relatives in the mountains.

After Li Qiguang became successful, all sorts of relatives came to help him. He would help them whenever he could. For example, he helped his elder brother from his maternal family contract a mountain to grow fruit, he helped his elder sister's husband open a fruit wholesale supermarket, he got his cousin who could drive a job at a transportation company, and he provided tuition fees for the village's nephews and nieces who were admitted to university, and so on.

He arranged everything he could, except for having the village's big yellow dog brought to the company to guard the gate.

Perhaps it's a case of greed; not all of them felt grateful to Li Qiguang's family. In fact, many thought Li Qiguang was too stingy, wondering why he wouldn't help more when he was so wealthy.

It's safe to say that the saying "a little kindness is appreciated, but too much kindness breeds resentment" is all too common.

However, Chen Jingle didn't want to comment too much on the elders' affairs; he just wanted to do his best.

……

The next day, after Li Beixing finished class, Chen Jingle picked her up and they went to Panshan Haoyuan together.

"How was it? Did you have some fun?"

Jiang Zhiqin saw the two of them and asked with a smile.

Li Beixing skipped over to her mother: "I didn't play much, it was mostly just eating and drinking, it was alright."

Jiang Zhiqin scoffed, "Ugh, isn't this considered fun? At least you don't have to work hard, and someone's with you to eat and drink everywhere. Does it have to be experiencing all sorts of different forms of entertainment all over the world to count?"

"No, not really," Li Beixing said, clinging to her mother's arm affectionately. "We actually have important business to attend to in the provincial capital."

"What important matter is it?" Jiang Zhiqin asked curiously.

Chen Jingle explained, "Beixing helped me get in touch with Professor Xie Nanyan from Nanjing Normal University. With their recommendation, I successfully joined the Provincial Calligraphers Association and also signed up for this year's 'Lingnan Cup' Youth Calligraphy and Seal Carving Competition."

"A calligraphy competition?" Jiang Zhiqin exclaimed in surprise. "Can you win an award? You should be able to, right?"

She didn't know much about calligraphy, but she was aware of Chen Jingle's skill level. Judging from the praise her husband and daughter usually gave him, he was quite skilled.

Chen Jingle replied with a smile: "The provincial-level calligraphy and painting exhibition is not difficult. The organizer has already informed me that I have been selected for the exhibition, which is equivalent to winning an award of excellence. Whether I can win a higher ranking or award depends on the later results."

Jiang Zhiqin nodded slightly: "If you put it that way, it should be a sure thing. After all, Bei Xing has won a provincial third prize, even though it was just a competition for primary and secondary school students."

Li Beixing retorted angrily, "Just talk about the competition, why drag me into this? Even though it's a competition for primary and secondary school students, it's still at the provincial level!"

Chen Jingle wanted to laugh, but the next second Teacher Li glared at him.

"By the way, are you staying for lunch?" Jiang Zhiqin asked.

Chen Jingle nodded: "Yes, yes, and I also have some important things to discuss with Dad."

"Then you'll have to wait a while."

……

Li Qiguang returned at noon.

Surprised: "Everyone's here?"

Jiang Zhiqin said, "Jing Le said she has something important to discuss with you."

“Okay, let’s talk in the study then,” Li Qiguang said.

The two walked into the calligraphy studio one after the other.

Chen Jingle handed over the printed report: "This is a report I wrote after visiting several Hongqi offline physical stores in the provincial capital and combining my own experience."

Li Qiguang quickly flipped through the pages.

While he was browsing the report, Chen Jingle consciously boiled water and made tea.

"very good!"

After reading it, Li Qiguang sighed: "Your report reflects the actual operating conditions of offline stores more accurately than theirs. Also, your suggestion to use affordable lychees to open up the market has been very effective. The summary report at the end of last month mentioned that the store business was much better than before. I just don't know how long this situation can last."

Chen Jingle smiled slightly: "People's habits are formed gradually. As long as the community users get used to buying things from our store, and as long as they don't encounter any particularly bad situations, they will continue to buy from us. What we need to do is to continuously improve the details while ensuring the quality of our existing products and services. You are an expert in doing business, so you should know that many times, a good business is not necessarily due to a person's great ability, but simply because of the contrast with their competitors."

“That makes sense,” Li Qiguang nodded.

Let's take Aunt Qian as an example again.

With over 2000 stores and a brand value of over 180 billion yuan, this is the result after setbacks in development and expansion and strategic contraction in the past two years.

As long as we follow the development path of Qian Dama, combine it with Hongqi's own situation, and avoid the pitfalls that predecessors have fallen into, even if we achieve one-tenth of the results, we can consider it a success.

A major reason for Qian Dama's setbacks was that it loosened its franchise conditions in order to quickly make money, which led to many franchisees' stores operating at a loss and ultimately having to close down.

Another issue is the choice of development strategy. Southerners care more about the freshness of ingredients than northerners. Northerners tend to stock up on vegetables, so the marketing concept of "not selling overnight meat" is not well received by northern consumers.

If Hongqi's offline stores achieved even one-tenth of the sales of Qian Dama, their market value would be several billion to two billion yuan, roughly the same as the parent company.

However, Chen Jingle felt that the direct-sale store model was more suitable for Hongqi at present.

Franchise stores require too high a level of management expertise, and neither Hongqi, Li Qiguang, nor any other senior executives in the company currently possess this capability.

People need to have a clear understanding of themselves and not become arrogant after achieving some success.

Is it really due to one's own abilities rather than the prevailing trends of the times?

"Shall we continue to expand?" Li Qiguang asked.

"Yes, we will continue to expand, but we need to be careful in choosing store locations. We should prioritize large, densely populated communities, as the general public is our target consumer group."

Chen Jingle pulled out another document: "Take the provincial capital as an example. I've identified several areas, all of which are large, densely populated communities. I can have someone conduct on-site inspections later."

Li Qiguang took it, glanced at it, and nodded: "Okay!"

……

Meanwhile, in the living room on the first floor.

Jiang Zhiqin asked seemingly casually, "Have you discussed when you want to have children?"

Li Beixing paused, her cheeks slightly flushed: "Isn't it too early to talk about this now?"

Although they had been doing it in private, it was a little embarrassing to tell his mother about it.

"It's not early anymore. You are young, but Jingle is already 31. Besides, you won't be young for many more years. It's most suitable to have children before the age of 28. After that, you will be considered an elderly mother."

Jiang Zhiqin rolled her eyes: "Do you think having a baby is something that can be done in a few seconds? There's the preparation for pregnancy beforehand, the ten months of pregnancy before the baby is born, and then you have to take good care of the baby. From learning to roll over to crawling to walking to talking, every step takes time. Even if you start preparing for pregnancy now, and you're lucky enough to get pregnant within six months, and give birth before October next year, you'll be 28 years old after the New Year. Thinking about it that way, isn't it too early?"

Li Beixing fell silent, resting his chin on his hand as he pondered.

Of course she wanted a child, especially a child with Chen Jingle.

The problem is that my stomach doesn't seem to be cooperating.

Is it because we don't do it often enough?
She was also worried that if she said too much, Chen Jingle wouldn't be able to handle it, so she wanted to find a way to help him.
Jiang Zhiqin did not interrupt her thinking.

A good girl is someone with her own ideas; she's not stupid. As long as she knows where the problem lies, that's fine.

When Chen Jingle and Li Qiguang came out of the study, Jiang Zhiqin and Li Beixing tacitly avoided bringing up the topic again.

(End of this chapter)